More energy-efficient sawn-timber drying at sawmills

The drying of sawn timber requires a lot of energy and leads to quality losses, a limited production capacity, and high costs for equipment and personnel. For a long time, the industry has been improving the processes without achieving a breakthrough.

This project intends to create a basis for such a breakthrough in the drying process through world-leading measurement technology in combination with computer simulation and the modelling of the way drying affects the wood.

The project will develop drying processes in which the measurement and analytical methods will enable a better adaptation to the wood material and a reduced heat consumption through less need for ventilation while reducing electricity consumption by the fans through shorter process times.

The better adaptation of the process to the raw material will reduce timber damage and increase the yield of high-value timber. Shorter process times will increase production capacity in existing plants and reduce the use of biofuel.